Durock Blue Lotus vs. Gateron Ink Yellow

Overview

When it comes to choosing a mechanical keyboard switch, two popular options that often come to mind are the Durock Blue Lotus and the Gateron Ink Yellow. The Blue Lotus is a tactile switch renowned for its blend of tactile intensity and swift responsiveness. With its slightly reduced travel distance of 3.7mm, it offers a marked tactile feel that is perfect for those who enjoy a satisfying feedback. The Blue Lotus also features a detachable light column for vibrant, colorful RGB illumination, adding a captivating visual appeal to its performance. On the other hand, the Ink Yellow is a linear switch that offers a typing experience between that of a laptop and a standard mechanical keyboard. With a shorter travel, it provides a smooth and clacky feel that many users find pleasant. While the Blue Lotus is categorized as 'Accented', 'Bassy', 'Snappy', and 'Stepped', the Ink Yellow falls into the categories of 'Neutral', 'Clacky', 'Mild', and 'Polished'. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities so you can best decide on the switch that suits your preferences and typing style.

By the numbers

Durock Blue Lotus Tactile

Gateron Ink Yellow Linear

$5.60

$4.57 per 10

$7.50

$7.35 per 10

Learn moreLearn more

Housing materials

The Durock Blue Lotus and Gateron Ink Yellow switches boast different housing materials, resulting in notable distinctions in their overall feel and sound. The Blue Lotus features a modified PC and UPE Blend top housing, which gives it a unique and premium feel. On the other hand, the Ink Yellow utilizes Gateron's proprietary INK blend top housing, characterized by a pointed and higher-pitched sound profile. While both deliver a satisfying clacky sound, the Blue Lotus may offer a slightly softer and more rounded sound due to its modified PC and UPE Blend composition.

Moving on to the bottom housing, the Blue Lotus incorporates a nylon material, known for eliciting a deeper and fuller sound profile. Nylon is relatively softer than other plastics, absorbing more sound and creating a duller tone. In contrast, the Ink Yellow embraces Gateron's proprietary INK blend bottom housing, which shares similar characteristics with its top housing. Both housings contribute to the switch's overall sound, with the bottom housing having more influence on the bottom-out sound and feel.

While the housing materials of the Durock Blue Lotus and Gateron Ink Yellow differ, both switches offer satisfying sound profiles with distinct qualities. Each switch's top housing impacts the sound produced when a key is released, providing a unique auditory experience. Despite their differences, both switches are designed to deliver a clacky sound that many enthusiasts appreciate. Therefore, if one is seeking a switch with similar sound characteristics but a different feel, either the Blue Lotus or the Ink Yellow would be a suitable option.

Weight

When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Durock Blue Lotus tactile switch and the Gateron Ink Yellow linear switch, there are some similarities and differences to consider. In terms of actuation force, the Blue Lotus requires 55 grams of force to trigger a keystroke, while the Ink Yellow requires slightly more at 60 grams. Both switches fall into the medium-heavy range in terms of actuation force.

Moving on to bottom out force, the Blue Lotus requires 65 grams of force for the keys to be fully pressed down, whereas the Ink Yellow requires 67 grams. Again, both switches fall into the medium-heavy range for bottom out force.

In terms of weight, some individuals prefer lighter switches for longer typing sessions or extended gaming periods. In this case, the Blue Lotus with its slightly lighter actuation force might be the preferred choice. On the other hand, those looking for a more substantial typing experience may prefer the slightly heavier actuation force of the Ink Yellow.

Overall, while there are slight variations in actuation and bottom out forces between these two switches, they both offer a medium-heavy feel. Therefore, users can expect similar results in terms of the tactile feedback and typing experience with either switch.

Travel distance

The travel distance of the Durock Blue Lotus tactile switch is 3.7 mm, while the Gateron Ink Yellow linear switch has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.5 mm. Both switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances, which have become increasingly popular in recent years. Gamers especially tend to favor shorter travel distances for quicker response times. If you prioritize responsiveness, the Gateron Ink Yellow with its slightly shorter travel distance would be a suitable choice. However, some individuals may find shorter travel distances to feel too abrupt and prefer a switch with a longer travel distance for a more satisfying depth. In this case, the Durock Blue Lotus with its 3.7 mm travel distance would be a better fit. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preferences and desired typing or gaming experience.

Price comparison

Typing experience

In terms of sound, the Durock Blue Lotus switches are described as "bassy", offering a deeper and richer sound profile during key presses. This lower frequency range resembles the depth and richness associated with bass tones. On the other hand, the Gateron Ink Yellow switches are described as having a "neutral" sound profile, which means they have a moderate sound with no specific emphasis on any frequency range. Additionally, the Ink Yellow switches are also described as "clacky", producing a sharp and snappy sound when pressed, which can be described as crisp, bright, and percussive. It is important to note that the sound of a switch is also influenced by factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used. While the sound characteristics of the Blue Lotus and Ink Yellow switches differ, both can provide enjoyable auditory experiences depending on personal preferences and setup.

Moving on to feel, the Durock Blue Lotus switches are described as "accented", indicating that they provide a medium amount of tactility without being overwhelming or subtle. These switches have a noticeable tactile feel that is accompanied by a swift and responsive typing experience due to their snappiness. In addition, the Blue Lotus switches are also described as "snappy", suggesting that they have a super responsive typing feel, possibly due to the use of longer or dual-staged springs. Furthermore, these switches are referred to as "stepped", meaning that they have a two-stage tactile feel with pre-travel and/or post-travel sensations. On the other hand, the Gateron Ink Yellow switches are described as having a "mild" typing experience. They offer a more gentle feel compared to switches with more pronounced characteristics, providing a safe and approachable tactile experience for most users. Additionally, the Ink Yellow switches are mentioned to be "polished", indicating a smooth and refined finish that results in a sleek typing feel with reduced friction and smooth key travel. Once again, personal preferences and typing style play a significant role in determining which switch's feel is more appealing.

To summarize, the Durock Blue Lotus tactile switches are known for their swift responsiveness, striking blend of tactile intensity, and vibrant RGB illumination. They provide a marked tactile feel with a slightly reduced travel distance and are characterized by a bassy sound profile. On the other hand, the Gateron Ink Yellow linear switches offer a typing experience between that of a laptop and a standard mechanical keyboard, with a shorter travel distance. They have a neutral sound profile with clackiness and a mild tactile feel that is polished and gentle. Overall, both switches have unique qualities that can cater to different preferences. However, it is crucial to consider personal preferences in terms of sound, feel, and visual appeal when choosing between the Blue Lotus and Ink Yellow switches.

Conclusion

To sum up, if you're looking for a tactile switch with a marked tactile feel and vibrant RGB illumination, the Durock Blue Lotus is a great choice. With a bottom out force of 65 grams, it offers a slightly reduced travel of 3.7mm, making it snappy and responsive. It is described as accented, snappy, and stepped, providing a medium level of tactility without being overwhelming. However, if you prefer a smoother typing experience that falls between a laptop and a standard mechanical keyboard, the Gateron Ink Yellow is the way to go. With a bottom out force of 67 grams, it offers a shorter travel and is described as mild and polished. It has a moderate actuation force requirement and a clacky sound profile, making it suitable for most purposes. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches depends on your preference for a more tactile feel with vibrant RGB illumination or a smoother typing experience with a refined finish.

Mentioned in this article

Durock Blue Lotus Tactile

$5.60

$4.57 per 10

Learn more

Gateron Ink Yellow Linear

$7.50

$7.35 per 10

Learn more